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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

Slackware sounds like a good solution, but I'm not sure which version I should install. Should I go with version 10 or should I use one of the older versions such as 8 or 9. I would like to install an office Suite(I would like Open Office since it is mostly compatible with Microsoft Office, although I know it is slow). It will also need to be dual bootable, as I would like to keep Win98 on it. I would like it to be fairly easy to use since I am still fairly new with Linux. I would also like it to be fast enough to be able to get stuff done, instead of always waiting for a program to open. Right now I have Red Hat 9 on it and everything works, but it is extremely slow. If you don't think any of the Slackware versions will be that much better, just tell me and I will forget the whole thing.

Also which window manager should I use. I've come to like KDE, but I've heard it can be really slow on older computers(maybe that is what is slowing down Red Hat 9). Again I would like it to be fairly easy to use, and I would like a start menu type thing since people who are used to windows will use the computer.

Originally posted by hyperriven I have an older computer:
AMD 450MHz
32 or 48mb RAM

Slackware sounds like a good solution, but I'm not sure which version I should install. Should I go with version 10 or should I use one of the older versions such as 8 or 9. I would like to install an office Suite(I would like Open Office since it is mostly compatible with Microsoft Office, although I know it is slow). It will also need to be dual bootable, as I would like to keep Win98 on it. I would like it to be fairly easy to use since I am still fairly new with Linux. I would also like it to be fast enough to be able to get stuff done, instead of always waiting for a program to open. Right now I have Red Hat 9 on it and everything works, but it is extremely slow. If you don't think any of the Slackware versions will be that much better, just tell me and I will forget the whole thing.

Also which window manager should I use. I've come to like KDE, but I've heard it can be really slow on older computers(maybe that is what is slowing down Red Hat 9). Again I would like it to be fairly easy to use, and I would like a start menu type thing since people who are used to windows will use the computer.

Suggestions:

1. Get Slackware 10, you'll get modern features you might like, plus the stability and ease of use Slackware is known for.
2. Seeing as Red Hat is running slow in your computer, you might want to learn how to install more RAM in your computer (if you don't know yet); it'll do wonders performance-wise.

I know it needs more RAM, but it is not my computer(I have a computer with plenty RAM), it is actually an organizations computer, and I don't think it is worth spending any money on the computer. If I find some extra RAM lying around(the correct type) I will put it in, but otherwise it is staying the way it is. When I get a chance I will try to install Slackware on it, I just finished downloading the first two cds.

The maximum RAM this computer is going to have is the 32 or 48 it already has, unless someone else gets the RAM. If you would like to provide the RAM, I'll be glad to look up what type it needs and send you my address. Please, no more suggestions of more RAM. I'm only interested in finding the best software to put on this computer. Thanks for all of the non-RAM suggestions. I will look into vector linux.

Originally posted by Ipolit install VECTOR Linux - It's Slackware, but it's like an aeroplane - I'm using it on PI 100 MHz with 64 MB RAM office computer

I agree. I read about Vector linux and decided to see if it would revive a P233mmx laptop with 2gb hdd and 32 mb ram. Worked perfectly. It installed without a hitch, left me space on the hard drive to play around with and ran fairly quickly with Xfce. I believe Xfce is the default WM for Vector, and from a usability standpoint (and if you're used to KDE), Xfce works great. It's a ton lighter than KDE or Gnome while still retaining the familiar layout w/ file manager etc. Another bonus is that slackware packages work with vector, just watch out for dependencies, as vector is scaled down quite a bit. All in all, vector did everything I needed (and more than I expected) for my old laptop. I was even having so much fun with it that I plunked down $40 for another 64 mb of ram. I'm actually considering getting another pcmcia ethernet card and using it as the firewall/router for my home network.